Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1887-03-21
Director Hendricks then offered the fol
lowing as a substitute:

Director Hendricks then offered the fol-
lowing as substitute:
WHEREAS. the Board of Prison Directors, real
izing the necessity of productive labor in the
formation and discipline of prisoners, and the
obligations of the law requiring it; and, fur
ther, remembering the large sums spent by the
State in providing buildings, machinery and
plants so as to provide profitable labor for each
prisoner felt Unauthorized and unwilling to
take the responsibility of radical change, yet
being fully impressed with the widespread
feeling against convict labor and, whereas, the
then Acknowledgement decided that the Board
was in violation of law in the manner of con-
Quoting prison labor; and, whereas, the then
Governor requested that it change its system,
the Board, before the converting of the late
Legislature, went far it felt it dare then go
in stopping work represented the situation to
the Legislature, and asked it to take the re-
sponsibility of settling the conflict and deter
mine plan of prison labor. The Legislature
falling to act, leaves us just where we were be-
fore, to wrestle with the question as best we
can; whereas, all laws, both human
and divine, and the welfare of prisoners,
demand productive labor, therefore it must be
exacted of each and all. And as no labor can
be exacted without more or less conflict with
free labor (if not to-day, 1t may tomorrow; even
the jute business may in short time be as OBJ
1ecticnable as anything else); and, whereas, the
expense of supporting our prisons should be
borne as nearly alike by all branches and
classes of society. therefore, the employment OF
large numbers of prisoners in any one depart
ment is unjust in its operation, in that il causes
that branch of business to bear more than its
just proportion of the expense of support
therefore, be it
ReSolued, That in view of the fact that disci-
pl1ne and reformation and all law, written and
unwritten, human and Divine, inexorably de-
mand productive labor, it must be exacted
and that in view of the further fact of the large
sums Of money the State has expended to pro
vide that productive labor, the Board is not
justified in sacrificing it or empowered to dis
card its use. But in view of the broad and deep
feeling against convict labor, and the injustice
that may accrue TO any class or business in en-
ploying large numbers in any one branch, that
1t is the policy and duty of the Board and the
prison management to go as far as at all posi-
BILE in multiplying trades and industries, there
by tending largely to benefit the prisoners, and
minimizing free labor objections, by relieving
any one branch of more than its proportion,
and to in all ways study how to and encourage
those branches of industry which in the least
degree conflict with, and are Objectionable and
injurious to free labor.
AT the close of the reading of the sub
stitute, Director Sonntag said: What do
you propose to do? can't see that this
covers the ground at all, or is in any way a
substitute for that which 1 have submitted
to the Board. 1t is more of a treatise on
the question at issue than anything else.
What do you propose to do about the mat
ter? The people of the State are anxious
to know what relief we propose to give
them"
Director Hendricks-You ask, "What
are we going to do about it?" | don't
know exactly what we can do. We GER
tainly cannot throw away all of the ma
chinery we have, and which has cost the
State many thousands of dollars. We will
do the best we can to comply with the law
and conduct only those branches of labor
which will in the least degree conflict with
free labor. He doubted the Boards au-
thority to destroy property of the State in
this manner, and thought it was against
public policy.
Director Sonntag read Section 81 OF the
compiled laws. relative to prison regula-
ton, under which he claimed the Directors
had full power to act in the premises, and
they could at any time discontinue any
branch of prison labor, except where a
contract was not filled The Constitution
also gave the Board of Prison Directors full
power. He also read the enabling Act of
the Legislature of 1880, which covered the
same objections. He was in favor of dis
continuing all such prison labors, and was
willing to take the responsibility of such
action.
Director Hendricks-Well, if you feel
like throwing away buildings and ma
chinery, do not, and shall object.
Director Sonntag-The only machinery
thrown out of use is that used in the map
ufacture of furniture, worth perhaps $4,000
or $4,000, and we can realize something
upon that. The buildings can be turned
into lutte factory.
Director Wilkins-I don't know about
that. To put jute machinery in those
buildings would necessitate the employ
ment of additional engineers at a cost of
not less than $500 per month.
Director Hendricks-There are two OBJ
iections to this jute business. In the first
place we don't know how soon this bust
ness will be competitive with free labor.
To limited extent 1t now comes in compe-
tition with free white labor In the second
place you are teaching the prison inmates
trades which they cannot utilize after the
expiration of their terms.
Director Sonntag-Do you propose to
teach criminals trades so that when they
get out they can compete with others who
never had an opportunity Of learning a
trade?
Director Hendricks-Most assuredly do.
1t is, and should be, the prominent feature
in prison discipline to teach all the inmates
trades, educate them up to point neces-
sary to enable them to begin life anew and
become what they should be, good critizens.
AS Prison Directors | think this is one of
The sacred duties that devolve upon US.
Director Sonntag-In Europe young men
have to pay to learn trades. Here men who
commit crime shall learn trades, whether
they desire it or not. You propose to put
the criminal above the free man.
Director Hendricks-What is the object
of prisons?
Director Sonntag-To punish criminals,
and in so doing to deter others from COM
hitting crime.
Director Hendricks was always of the
opinion that they were intended for the
protection of society and the reformation OF
criminals.
Director Boggs-Come, gentlemen, you
are DEPRESSING. Let us get down TO the
business before the meeting. So far as the
manufacture of granite is concerned at
the Folsom Prison, am decidedly in favor
of disseminating it just as soon as the pres
ent contracts are filled l am opposed to
the further manufacture or sale of granite
goods from this quarry. believe the entire
Board is in favor of stopping the Folsom
works, SO l therefore move that we divide
Mr.. Sonntag's motion, and act first upon
that portion which relates entirely to the
Folsom Prison.
Director Devlin-The question before the
Board is not Mr.. Sonntag's motion, but the
substitute offered by Mr.. Hendricks.
Director Sonntag raised the point of or
der that Mr.. Hendrick' S treatise" was not
in order, was not german to the subject
matter of the original motion.
Before the Chair made ruling upon this
point of order, Director B oggs moved as a
substitute for the whole matter that gran
tie should cease to be manufactured for sale
at the Folsom Prison.
The Chair ruled the point of order raised
by Director Sonntag not well taken.
Director Sonn;ag rather excitedly said
that if necessary he would move to lay the
whole matter upon the table, but he did
not like to do so.
Director Hendricks-The Legislature, al
though this mater was properly presented
to them, failed to take action, and now
want this Board to go ON record as to what
they will do. He was opposed to lodging
the issue by voting for Director Boggs'
motion. Let US meet this matter squarely
and place ourselves upon record, whether
it is popular or not. He had drawn the
substitute as expressive of his position
upon this question. He wanted to be I'M
derstcod and desired to vote upon this SUBJ
stitute or upon the original resolution, as
offered by Director Sonntag.
Director Boggs-I don't see much in
yeur substitute. Why do you want such a
long preamble? What is a preamble for,
any way?
Director Hendricks-A preamble, sir, is
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